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Microdissection of Mouse Brain into Functionally and Anatomically Different Regions
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The Aging Astrocyte Transcriptome from Multiple Regions of the Mouse Brain
Matthew M Boisvert1, Galina A Erikson2, Maxim N Shokhirev2
1Molecular Neurobiology Laboratory, Salk Institute for Biological Studies, 10010 North Torrey Pines Rd., La Jolla, CA 92037, USA; Neurosciences Graduate Program, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
Cell Reports
|January 4, 2018
Summary
Aging astrocytes, a type of brain cell, increase synapse elimination, potentially driving cognitive decline and neuronal damage in aging brains.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
- Aging Research
Background:
- Cognitive decline in aging is linked to synapse loss and altered brain metabolism.
- Astrocytes are crucial for synapse regulation, but their aging-related changes are poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related alterations in astrocyte gene expression across different mouse brain regions.
- To determine if aging astrocytes contribute to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal damage.
Main Methods:
- RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to generate transcriptomes of adult and aged mouse astrocytes.
- Gene expression analysis was performed across multiple brain regions.
- Astrocyte gene expression data was compiled into an online database.
Main Results:
- Aging astrocytes showed minimal changes in homeostatic and neurotransmission genes.
- A significant upregulation of synapse-eliminating genes was observed in aging astrocytes.
- Regional heterogeneity in astrocyte gene expression related to aging was identified.
Conclusions:
- Altered astrocyte function in aging promotes an environment conducive to synapse elimination.
- These astrocyte changes may contribute to age-related cognitive decline and neuronal damage.
- The generated astrocyte transcriptome database serves as a valuable resource for aging research.
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